France recipes

I love Creme Brulee but with the high fat have been working on a no-guilt low fat version of this French delight. It had to be creamy with the subtle flavors I remember from when I was in Cannes France. Last weekend my father came to visit and here it is, low-fat no guilt Creme Brulee using Canadian maple syrup and a Madagascar vanilla bean. Guaranteed to knock the socks of any guest and you can feel the guilty feeling they have once they taste it. Then they're so relived when you tell them the ingredients. Truly no guilt.

This dish comes from Cahors, a town in the southwest of France known for its dark, rough red wine. The sauce is equally good with salmon.

Italian style potato dumplings but made with Paris, France flair. This recipe is a good way to use up leftover Pâte à Choux or Quick change pastry by mixing it with leftover mashed potatoes to create a soft potato dumpling.

Classic dish famous in restaurants in France, simplified here but keeps all the flavor of the original recipe. A low carb treat.

This is a tangy marinade, containing equal amounts of lemon juice and oil, and is good for rich meats like chicken thighs. It can be used for chicken breasts too, but their skin should be on for additional protection during grilling or broiling. Thyme gives this marinade a flavor loved in France, but you can substitute oregano for an Italian or Greek accent, or mint or cilantro for a Lebanese touch.

Perfectly poached eggs tops artichoke hearts and luscious Bearnaise sauce. You might just think you're in France.